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Zambrano to take the mound for Cubs

Jun 6, 2007 - 2:12 PM Chicago Cubs (24-32) at Milwaukee (33-26) 2:05 pm EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- There were fireworks the last time Carlos Zambrano took the mound, and they had nothing to do with the fact that he allowed a season-high 13 hits.

Zambrano will be throwing to backup catcher Koyie Hill on Wednesday when the Cubs visit the Brewers in the rubber game of their three-game series.

Zambrano (5-5, 5.62 ERA) lasted just five innings in a start on Friday that ended with a brawl in the dugout and later in the clubhouse with catcher Michael Barrett. Chicago fined both Zambrano and Barrett, but neither player was suspended and both were apologetic in a news conference before Saturday's game.

"It's all my fault, that's all I can say," said Zambrano, who threw the first blow in the televised altercation. "I feel bad for that."

"I love all of my teammates and I love Carlos Zambrano," said Barrett, who was sporting a shiner under his left eye. "We had our differences yesterday. Today we don't have our differences."

The fight came after the Atlanta Braves scored five runs during the fifth inning. The uprising featured Barrett's passed ball and errant throw.

After the inning, Zambrano confronted Barrett in the dugout and the two jawed back and forth until a shoving match began and punches were thrown before teammates and coaches broke up the tussle.

The altercation later moved into the clubhouse, where the players fought again.

Barrett suffered a deep cut on his lip after being punched by Zambrano, who left the park. Barrett went to Northwestern Hospital for further evaluation.

The Brewers will hope to capitalize on the volatile Zambrano when they counter with veteran righthander Jeff Suppan (7-5, 3.71).

Suppan made his finest start of the season at Chicago on April 24, limiting the Cubs to no runs and four hits over eight innings.

Milwaukee did post a 7-5 victory on Tuesday, as rookie Ryan Braun homered and drove in two runs. It was the fourth win in the last six games for the Brewers.